An unusual breakfast at India Restaurant...

The wait was mutual.

And a proposal carrying the prospect of feasting on the likes of Bhuna Gosht or Mutton Tamatar Stew for breakfast no doubt seemed an aberration too charming to be turned down. Allies fanned the dying fire and I, sleep-starved, reached India Restaurant on a promising Sunday morning in pursuit of ‘The Mughlai Breakfast’. A dear friend, being an unapologetic repeat-offender, graciously took upon himself the duty to order.

Dishes like Keema Muttor, Daal Gosht, Mutton Tamatar Stew or Bhuna Gosht would barely raise eyebrows when ordered for lunch or Dinner. But at breakfast, the first bite into a Naan dripping with the gravy of ‘Gosht Tamatar Stew’ made me trash all that I had learnt about meals. And, much to my delight, this Mughlai stew of temperate taste [and a stark antithesis of the familiar Irish stew] carried a lovable texture and character yet left some deliberate space for individual creativity. I loved it with a dash of lime bringing that unusual tingling on tongue. I crave to savour the stew with Rumali some time as, I hold, Rumali’s thinness meddles the least with the taste of any gravy ‘of substance’.

‘Muttar Keema’ is my old love – thick, meaty, lovable and strictly averse to be swallowed without being teased with a curious tongue. Came close on heels the aromatic Bhuna (‘Fried’ in Urdu) – perfectly balanced in taste, covertly sweet with thick sauce and minced vegetables. A spoonful of its gravy would surprise with the hint of Ghee subtly drizzled from top. I loved it in entirety! I found the ‘Daal Gosht’ eminently forgettable with the unimpressive pulses coming in the way of its savouring.

The collective joy was too telling to be hushed with sobriety and the friendly waiter sensed it with a smile. What we got in return were warm and freshly prepared Shahi Tukras – served much ahead of its regular serving time - an unusual act in appreciation of love for food!

What did this entire experience leave us with? Lingering taste, fun, glimpses of madness, some knowledge, many surprises and a craving for more.